In photos | Hugs and shared smiles — Modi, Putin and Xi in a candid chat on Day 2 of SCO summit in China

"Always a delight to meet President Putin!," PM Modi said as the two leaders are set to hold bilateral talks later today.

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   The red carpet for Day 2 of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China's Tianjin was laid out early on Monday. Ahead of the plenary session, leaders of the invited member countries shared some moments of informal bonhomie. (Photo: PMO)

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   Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin had an informal meet-up before the Summit kicked off with its plenary session. (Photo: PMO)

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   The meeting between PM Modi and Russian President Putin assumes significance amid United States President Donald Trump's tariff 'penalty' heat on New Delhi over its oil trade with Moscow. “Always a delight to meet President Putin!,” the PM wrote on X. (Photo: PMO)

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   The duo, who spent around three-five minutes, was seen hugging each other minutes ahead of the SCO meeting. (Photo: PMO)

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   Russia has criticised Trump’s tariff action and backed India’s right to choose its trading partners. (Photo: PMO)

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   PM Modi will also hold a bilateral meet with the Russian President on the sidelines of the SCO Summit today. (Photo: PMO)

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   India has said that China and Europe too have been buying cheap Russian oil, but that New Delhi has been singled out by Washington. (Photo: PMO)

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   Putin is slated to visit India in December this year, according to a statement by the Kremlin Friday. (Photo: PMO)